ADDRESSING COMMUNITY CONCERNS OVER CLAIMS ABOUT THE ISLINGTON PARK REGENERATION

Residents living around Islington Park, which lies of Chapel Street, may have noticed that work is now commencing on planned renovation work announced last month which aims to turn the park into an inner-city green oasis.

SALFORD’S OWN SECRET GARDEN GETS TRANSFORMED WITH WORKS TO START AT THE END OF MAY - Salford - salford.media

Unfortunately some residents have raised concerns over an image posted to social media showing a commemoration stone that has been unearthed and laid upside down within the park.

Similar claims mistakenly state that the park is the location of a grave site which once belonged to the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel and still contains burials and human remains, which is wholly untrue as all burials in the area were removed and reinterred at Agecroft after the closure of the chapel in the 1960's. The park has not been a grave site for some time.

Similar claims in 2019 revolved around what was thought to be the desecration of headstones and burials on the adjoining site which is home to an apartment block.

As we reported back then, when we attended to look into the story we actually pleasantly surprised to discover that the headstones were actually in the process of being conserved rather than destroyed, as previously they had been buried in with rubble and backfill, and were being dug out and placed flat to be later covered over with soil so as to preserve them for prosperity, which is standard archaeological practice.

After contacting The University of Salford Archaeology Department, we learned that they had been on site during the dig and over seeing the development whilst documenting the stones and history of the site, even looking for further possible burials which may have been missed in one section of the site which had remained completely untouched over the years, none of which were found.

The truth of the matter is the park has not been an active burial ground for many years, there are currently no burials that the council is aware of under the park and we are sure that if in the event such a burial was to be found, it would be excavated properly and the remains would be reinterred along with all the others from the site. However, there is no evidence to suggest any remain in situ as the park has had extensive work carried out in the past.

Speaking at the time, a spokesperson for Salford City Council, said:

Quote

 

“Archaeologists from the University of Salford carried out initial investigations before work began to check for the presence of graves. The trial trenches did not identify any graves but the archaeologists remain involved in the construction process.

“They believe that gravestones which have been found on the site, were removed from their original locations and re-laid elsewhere, probably 40 years ago. Investigations, which were undertaken with all the proper permits have now concluded and found that there were no human remains at the site. Those gravestones have now been moved in the correct manner and treated with due respect.

"If human remains had been found they would have been carefully removed with all due dignity, under the 2017 regulations set out by English Heritage and the Church of England, and under a licence from the coroner at the Ministry of Justice. Any remains would have been re-buried on site, with due reverence, in an area set aside that would not be affected by the construction works."

 

We contacted the council late last night to ask what was to happen to the stone and this morning we are happy to hear that it will be replaced in the park once work has ended. Both the stone and plaque are to be taken and stored to prevent damage.

Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable development said:

Quote

"The stone and plaque are a key part of Salford's history and will be replaced in the park once the work is completed. In the mean time we will make sure the contractors store them safely and securely. "

We know that when it comes to our local heritage, quite rightly people will always have concerns but in this case those concerns are clearly being listened too and Islington Park is set to see positive changes in the not too distant future thanks to a £683,249 award from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority which is enabling the improvement work to take place.

The site is to become part of the Greater Manchester Bee Network for walkers and cyclists to enjoy.

Since its last revamp some 30-years-ago, then hands of time and the effects of weathering have not been kind, especially to the mosaic which is now beyond repair. However, the good news is that parts of it will live on by being preserved within the feature walls of the park for future generations to enjoy.

The council is also working with local schools to create more hard wearing designs printed onto aluminium.

The work at the park is expected to finish in September and until then footpaths will remain open but the park itself will be closed to the public.

When the park is reopened we will be there with our cameras.